An Arena for Higher Powers

An Arena for Higher Powers PDF Author: Olof Sundqvist
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004307486
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 661

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Book Description
In An Arena for Higher Powers Olof Sundqvist investigates ceremonial buildings and religious ruler strategies in Late Iron Age Scandinavia (i.e. AD 550-1050/1100). The author offers here an account of the role played by religion in political undertakings among the pre-Christian ruling elites at halls and cultic buildings. Sundqvist applies a regional approach, so as to be able to account for the specific historical, cultural and social contexts. The focus is mainly on three regions, the Lake Mälaren area in Sweden, Trøndelag in Norway, and Iceland. Since the political structure and other contextual aspects partly differed in the three regions, the religious strategies for gaining legitimacy and authorization at the sanctuaries also varied to some extent in these areas.

An Arena for Higher Powers

An Arena for Higher Powers PDF Author: Olof Sundqvist
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004307486
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 661

Get Book Here

Book Description
In An Arena for Higher Powers Olof Sundqvist investigates ceremonial buildings and religious ruler strategies in Late Iron Age Scandinavia (i.e. AD 550-1050/1100). The author offers here an account of the role played by religion in political undertakings among the pre-Christian ruling elites at halls and cultic buildings. Sundqvist applies a regional approach, so as to be able to account for the specific historical, cultural and social contexts. The focus is mainly on three regions, the Lake Mälaren area in Sweden, Trøndelag in Norway, and Iceland. Since the political structure and other contextual aspects partly differed in the three regions, the religious strategies for gaining legitimacy and authorization at the sanctuaries also varied to some extent in these areas.

Ideology and Power in the Viking and Middle Ages

Ideology and Power in the Viking and Middle Ages PDF Author:
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004205071
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 420

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Book Description
Ideology and power are central elements in the political, social, religious and cultural development of the North during the transition from the Viking to the Middle Ages. While the medieval European Christian ideology of rulership has been widely discussed, an analysis of the Nordic pre-Christian ideology, and of its confrontation with the new European ideals has so far been lacking. This book examines the concepts and practices associated with chieftains, earls and kings from the ninth to the thirteenth century: the myths and rituals surrounding their position in a northern European warrior culture. The analysis seems to indicate that important elements of the pre-Christian ideology of rulership survived into the Christian Middle Ages, either transformed or even simply transferred. Contributors are Ian Beuermann, Anders Hultgård, Jan Erik Rekdal, Jens Peter Schjødt, Jón Viðar Sigurðsson, Joanna Skórzewska, Gro Steinsland and Olof Sundqvist.

Scandinavia in the Age of Vikings

Scandinavia in the Age of Vikings PDF Author: Jon Vidar Sigurdsson
Publisher: Cornell University Press
ISBN: 1501760491
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 223

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Book Description
In Scandinavia in the Age of Vikings, Jón Viðar Sigurðsson returns to the Viking homeland, Scandinavia, highlighting such key aspects of Viking life as power and politics, social and kinship networks, gifts and feasting, religious beliefs, women's roles, social classes, and the Viking economy, which included farming, iron mining and metalworking, and trade. Drawing of the latest archeological research and on literary sources, namely the sagas, Sigurðsson depicts a complex and surprisingly peaceful society that belies the popular image of Norsemen as bloodthirsty barbarians. Instead, Vikings often acted out power struggles symbolically, with local chieftains competing with each other through displays of wealth in the form of great feasts and gifts, rather than arms. At home, conspicuous consumption was a Viking leader's most important virtue; the brutality associated with them was largely wreaked abroad. Sigurðsson's engaging history of the Vikings at home begins by highlighting political developments in the region, detailing how Danish kings assumed ascendency over the region and the ways in which Viking friendship reinforced regional peace. Scandinavia in the Age of Vikings then discusses the importance of religion, first pagan and (beginning around 1000 A.D.) Christianity; the central role that women played in politics and war; and how the enormous wealth brought back to Scandinavia affected the social fabric—shedding new light on Viking society.

Handbook on Resilience of Socio-Technical Systems

Handbook on Resilience of Socio-Technical Systems PDF Author: Matthias Ruth
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 1786439379
Category : Crisis management
Languages : en
Pages : 429

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Book Description
The goal to improve the resilience of social systems – communities and their economies – is increasingly adopted by decision makers. This unique and comprehensive Handbook focuses on the interdependencies of these social systems and the technologies that support them. Special attention is given to the ways in which resilience is conceptualized by different disciplines, how resilience may be assessed, and how resilience strategies are implemented. Case illustrations are presented throughout to aid understanding.

The End of the World in Scandinavian Mythology

The End of the World in Scandinavian Mythology PDF Author: Anders Hultgård
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0192692844
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 474

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Book Description
The End of the World in Scandinavian Mythology is a detailed study of the Scandinavian myth on the end of the world, the Ragnarök, and its comparative background. The Old Norse texts on Ragnarök, in the first place the 'Prophecy of the Seeress' and the Prose Edda of the Icelander Snorri Sturluson, are well known and much discussed. However, Anders Hultgård suggests that it is worthwhile to reconsider the Ragnarök myth and shed new light on it using new comparative evidence, and presenting texts in translation that otherwise are available only to specialists. The intricate question of Christian influence on Ragnarök is addressed in detail, with the author arriving at the conclusion of an independent pre-Christian myth with the closest analogies in ancient Iran. People in modern society are concerned with the future of our world, and we can see these same fears and hopes expressed in many ancient religions, transformed into myths of the future including both cosmic destruction and cosmic renewal. The Ragnarök myth can be said to be the classical instance of such myths, making it more relevant today than ever before.

The Norse Sorceress

The Norse Sorceress PDF Author: Leszek Garde?a
Publisher: Oxbow Books
ISBN: 1789259541
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 1062

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Book Description
Old Norse literature abounds with descriptions of magic acts that allow ritual specialists of various kinds to manipulate the world around them, see into the future or the distant past, change weather conditions, influence the outcomes of battles, and more. While magic practitioners are known under myriad terms, the most iconic of them is the völva. As the central figure of the famous mythological poem Völuspá (The Prophecy of the Völva), the völva commands both respect and fear. In non-mythological texts similar women are portrayed as crucial albeit somewhat peculiar members of society. Always veiled in mystery, the völur and their kind have captured the academic and popular imagination for centuries. Bringing together scholars from various disciplinary backgrounds, this volume aims to provide new insights into the reality of magic and its agents in the Viking world, beyond the pages of medieval texts. It explores new trajectories for the study of past mentalities, beliefs, and rituals as well as the tools employed in these practices and the individuals who wielded them. In doing so, the volume engages with several topical issues of Viking Age research, including the complex entanglements of mind and materiality, the cultural attitudes to animals and the natural world, and the cultural constructions of gender and sexuality. By addressing these complex themes, it offers a nuanced image of the völva and related magic workers in their cultural context. The volume is intended for a broad, diverse, and international audience, including experts in the field of Viking and Old Norse studies but also various non-professional history enthusiasts. The Norse Sorceress: Mind and Materiality in the Viking World is a key output of the project Tanken bag Tingene (Thoughts behind Things) conducted at the National Museum of Denmark from 2020 to 2023 and funded by the Krogager Foundation.

Heathen Garb and Gear: Ritual Dress, Tools, and Art for the Practice of Germanic Heathenry

Heathen Garb and Gear: Ritual Dress, Tools, and Art for the Practice of Germanic Heathenry PDF Author: Ben Waggoner
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 1941136214
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 586

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Book Description
The Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, Germanic tribes, Goths, and other Germanic-speaking tribes are renowned today in myth, legend, and popular culture. But how did they live? What did they wear? How did they worship? What did they eat? And how did their traditional ways of life reflect their spiritual beliefs? Heathen Garb and Gear takes you on a tour of the world that our forebears knew. More importantly, it shows you how their ways of dressing and living-from weaving woolen cloth and cooking food, to making music and taking steam baths-are reflected in the myths and traditions that have come down to us. Anyone who's ever wanted to wear Viking clothing, or serve authentic Viking feasts, will find plenty of practical tips here. But even if you're not interested in re-enacting the old ways, you'll find much vital information and inspiration for the practice of Heathenry as a living religious tradition.

Power and Politics

Power and Politics PDF Author: Michael D. Parsons
Publisher: SUNY Press
ISBN: 9780791434246
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 276

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Book Description
Provides the most intimate view of federal higher education policymaking since Congress and the Colleges. Reveals that, despite the lack of power as measured by conventional standards, higher education associations have succeeded in convincing Congress to dramatically expand the scope of federal student aid programs under the 1992 Higher Education Act.

Power and Politics

Power and Politics PDF Author: Michael David Parsons
Publisher: SUNY Press
ISBN: 9780791434239
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 274

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Book Description
Provides the most intimate view of federal higher education policymaking since Congress and the Colleges. Reveals that, despite the lack of power as measured by conventional standards, higher education associations have succeeded in convincing Congress to dramatically expand the scope of federal student aid programs under the 1992 Higher Education Act.

Create Your Personal Power Plan

Create Your Personal Power Plan PDF Author: Alice Potter
Publisher: Ronin Publishing
ISBN: 1579512763
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 175

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Book Description
A memorial of Alice Potter's powerful motivaitonal secrets. Tells how the power of positive thinking promotes personal success; techniques to replace negative thoughts and actions with positive ones; how to overcome fears and anxiety, and how to transform dreams into reality. Shows how to put optimism to practical use. How to take command of your life and leave behind your fears through simple and sound steps. Shares ten simple rules that can change your life, helpful guidelines for creating personal affirmations, along with inspirational quotations, motivational stories and anecdotes demonstrating use of the commandments. Includes strategies to create and achieve personal goals, along with stories of success, words of wisdom, and inspirational exercises to gain confidence and overcome procrastination.